Home Matters(from recipes to routines)

I want to share a simple little tip that I have recently discovered. As I have gotten a little older, those difficult lids that seem impossible to open have become increasingly more of a challenge. Over time, I've tried several things but none of them have worked until now. The great news is, you probably already have this little gadget inside your "special" drawer in the kitchen. You know the drawer with all the doohickeys that rarely get used?.

Before I share the tip, let me share a few things I've purchased that didn't work. I can probably save you the money on those. The "as seen on TV" round lid opener contraption with the rubber strip didn't work. In fact it tore up the first time I tried to use it. Then I moved to a rubber circle that supposedly increases "grip" power making a lid easier to grab hold of and turn. That too hasn't worked every time, and doesn't decrease joint pain while trying to open a jar of your favorite chocolate fudge.

Then about a month ago, as I was looking in my "special" drawer for something else, I had an "ah ha" moment when. I spied an old hand operated can opener with the sharp tip. The funny thing is, it's actually called the "Church Key Opener." According to Buzzle.com, despite it's name, it was initially used to pry open the crown cork of glass wine bottles. Today it's often used to open flat top beer bottles or glass soda bottles. (That would explain it's lack of use at our house.) It's typical design consists of a single piece of pressed metal with a pointed edge used to pry off the lid by using it's metal lip to grip the bottle beneath the lid. I grew up watching my mom use it to pierce a metal can on both sides of the evaporated milk so it would pour out easier. If my words aren't painting a clear picture, google it on line by name and see an image for clarification.

My "ah ha" turned out to be a brilliant idea! Here's why. When a jar in a factory is commercially canned it creates a strong air-tight seal, making those pesky lids difficult to remove. By releasing the air, the seal is broken and the lid will no longer be 'glued" on. When I saw this twenty-five year old wedding gift gadget, I realized that sharp tip and the little lip used for gripping the side of a bottle might come in handy after all. I grabbed a jar and decided to give it a try. I wanted to use it to break the seal and release the pressure on the jar. I simply placed it on the lid with the point on the top of the lid and the lip underneath the edge of the lid. Then I gave it a slight twist of the wrist to the side, and what to my surprise, it worked! The air tight seal was broken by releasing the pressure with the twist of the can opener. Once the air tight seal is broken the lid simply twists right off without any effort at all. This discovery has made my life easier, and you can truly enjoy that jar of chocolate fudge on Valentines Day!